Cats Forecast: The second half starts; Canucks come to town

The Florida Panthers enter the second half of the 2022-23 season with some work to do.
With 41 games left to play, they currently sit six points out of a playoff spot with a record of 18-19-4. Needing to consistently pick up points from here on out, players are confident that their recent efforts -- including winning two of the last three games -- mean they're turning a corner.
"We're not where we want to be, of course, in the standings," Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said. "Over the last two weeks -- maybe the last four games -- we've been talking a lot and we've been working a lot harder in the games. Our effort has been really, really good in the games. We've just got to stay with that."

With a hefty serving of road games on the docket for January, the Panthers will start this week by visiting the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday before wrapping up their four-game trip with a battle against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.
Making a quick trip back to Sunrise before packing their bags for another trip, they'll close out the week with a matchup against the Vancouver Canucks at FLA Live Arena on Saturday.
"We just have to understand that the 60-minute game is a hard, hard game to play," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said. "If you're waiting for something unusual or something fancy to happen to get you going, you're going to be waiting a long time. The National Hockey League picks up as the season goes on, it doesn't slow down."
To see what's going on this week and beyond for the Panthers, continue reading below.

THE GAMES

Tuesday: at Colorado Avalanche, 9:30 p.m. ET
The Panthers will get their first look at the defending Stanley Cup champions when they visit the Avalanche (20-15-3) at Ball Arena on Tuesday. Breaking out of a five-game skid, Colorado closed out last week with a 3-2 overtime win at Edmonton on Saturday. Still without captain Gabriel Landeskog, who has yet to suit up this season after undergoing knee surgery in October, the Avalanche's offense hasn't packed quite the same punch this season. Ranking 25th in the NHL, they are currently averaging 2.87 goals per game. That being said, they still boast some of the top individual talents in the NHL with players like Mikko Rantanen (48 points), Nathan MacKinnon (38 points) and reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner Cale Makar (37 points). Starting each of the last 11 games for Colorado, Alexander Georgiev owns a 16-10-3 record with a .916 save percentage this season. For the Panthers, look for Eric Staal to find his way onto the scoresheet in this tilt. Over his last four games, the veteran center has notched three goals and two assists.
TV & Streaming:Hulu, ESPN+
Radio: 96.5 WPOW-FM HD-2 (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Thursday: at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m. ET
The Panthers will close the book on their road trip when they face off against the Golden Knights (27-13-2) at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday. Leading the Pacific Division, Vegas has won five of its last eight games, but enters this week looking to rebound from a 5-1 loss to the Kings on Saturday. Spreading things out on offense, seven different players have posted at least 28 points for the Golden Knights. Chandler Stephenson ranks first on the team in assists (29) and points (40), while Reilly Smith has scored the most goals (18). Producing at better than a point-per-game clip, Jack Eichel has recorded 32 points (14 goals, 18 assists) in 29 games. Throwing his name into the running for the Calder Trophy, Vegas rookie goaltender Logan Thompson is tied for third in the NHL in wins (18) on top of a .914 save percentage. For the Panthers, look for Matthew Tkachuk to make something happen in this matchup. Recently selected to the 2023 NHL All-Star Game, the feisty forward leads Florida in goals (20), assists (29) and points (49).
TV & Streaming: Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports+, ESPN+
Radio:96.5 WPOW-FM HD-2 (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Saturday: Vancouver Canucks, 7 p.m. ET
Making a one-game pitstop back in South Florida before hitting the road again, the Panthers will host the Vancouver Canucks (17-19-3) at FLA Live Arena on Saturday. Dropping four of their last five games, the Canucks enter this week on the heels of a 7-4 loss at Winnipeg on Sunday. Despite owning the NHL's 31st-ranked defense, Vancouver's offense can score with the best of them as they currently rank ninth in the NHL with 3.38 goals per game on average. Leading that attack, Elias Pettersson ranks first on the team in scoring with 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists), while Bo Horvat is second in points (44) and first in goals (29). With Thatcher Demko recovering from a lower-body injury, Spencer Martin and Collin Delia have both seen time in Vancouver's net as of late. Earning the bulk of the starts, Martin has gone 11-8-1 with a .881 save percentage this season. Hoping to put on a show for the home crowd, look for Aleksander Barkov to lead the charge for the Panthers in this contest. Over his last seven games, the captain has notched nine points (three goals, six assists), including scoring hat trick against Montreal on Dec. 29.
TV & Streaming: Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports+, ESPN+
Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Tickets:
Here

¡VAMOS GATOS! NIGHT

Celebrating the rich culture of South Florida's Hispanic community, the Panthers will host ¡Vamos Gatos! Night powered by Ford on Saturday when they host the Canucks.
Kicking off the celebration, the Panthers will host a festive ¡Vamos Gatos! pregame party at FLA Live Arena's Patron Patio and JetBlue Tarmac from 4-7 p.m. where fans can enjoy authentic bites from local eateries such as Carne en Vara Express and 1811 Miami Express.
Additionally, the pregame party will feature live mural installations by local artists, salsa dancers, a margarita bicycle, ¡Vamos Gatos! scarf giveaways courtesy of Ford and two dominoes tables complete with a professional instructor for fans who are new to the game.
A game ticket is required for entry to the Patron Patio.
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the JetBlue Tarmac will also feature live music by the Candy Band, stilt walkers, dancers, food trucks and fun fan activities such as a slapshot cage and video games.
During warmups, Panthers players will debut custom ¡Vamos Gatos! warmup jerseys exclusively designed by local artist Carlos Solano, which will be available for purchase immediately following warmups at FLA Live Arena's Inside the Boards.
Limited-edition Carlos Solano-designed ¡Vamos Gatos! t-shirts and pucks will also be available to purchase at
FlaPanthers.givesmart.com
, with all proceeds benefiting the Florida Panthers Foundation.
For more information or to purchase tickets, click
HERE
.

GOALIE MASK GIVEAWAY

We can't mask our excitement for this giveaway!
Until Jan. 15, fans can enter to win one of three customized goalies mask courtesy of Jameson Irish Whiskey.
To enter or view other contests, click
HERE
.

MARGARITAVILLE NIGHT

Calling all Parrotheads!
On Friday, Jan. 27, the Panthers will host "Margaritaville Night" when they host the Kings.
Right now, fans can purchase a special ticket package that includes a limited-edition Margaritaville bucket hat while supplies last. Throughout the game, fans can also enjoy Margaritaville beach tunes live in the Coors Light Cold Zone by Jimmy Stowe & the Stowaways.
To purchase tickets, click
HERE
.

PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT

Mike Benning is having quite the junior season at Denver.
Named the NCHC Player of the Month for December, the 21-year-old defenseman recorded 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in six games last month. Over those six games, he posted four multi-point outings, including scoring twice to lead Denver to a 5-4 win over Lindenwood on Dec. 17.
Carrying that momentum into January, Benning extended his career-long point streak to nine games with two assists during a 7-2 win over Alaska Fairbanks on Jan. 7. During his streak, he's amassed five goals and 10 assists, with two of those goals coming by way of the power play.
Taken by the Panthers in the fourth round (95th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Benning, who helped the Pioneers win the national championship in 2022, leads Denver's blueliners in scoring with 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) through 22 games played this campaign.
Benning's 22 points are also tied for the most among defensemen in the NCAA.

CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK

It was another special video edition of Territory Talk last week.
In the latest episode, hear from Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.

CATS IN THE COMMUNITY

TERRITORY TALK

Hear from Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov on the latest episode of Territory Talk.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

- POSTCARD: Staal checks in from Dallas
- 5 TAKEAWAYS: Panthers 3, Red Wings 2
- Tkachuk excited to be the 'hometown guy' during NHL All-Star Weekend
- PROSPECTS: Kos helps Czechia to silver at World Juniors